Milan Cathedral Foundation Acquires Gaffurio Codex at Il Ponte Auction for €230,400
On 30 September and 1 October, the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano purchased the Codice Gaffurio, a manuscript detailing medieval and Renaissance music theory authored by Franchino Gaffurio (1451–1522), for €230,400 during the Libri antichi e d'artista auction. This manuscript, referred to as the 'Sola Cabiati,' showcases Gaffurio's expertise as Maestro di Cappella from 1484 until his death in 1522. The Fabbrica intends to make this cultural artifact accessible to the public, facilitating new research after more than a century of being off-limits. Additionally, notable items from the sale included Sir William Hamilton's Campi Phlegraei (€57,600), Giovanni Francesco Costa's Delicie del Brenta (€33,280), and a 17th-century atlas by Hondius and Mercator (€32,000).
Key facts
- The Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano acquired the Codice Gaffurio for €230,400
- The manuscript was written by Franchino Gaffurio (1451–1522), Maestro di Cappella of the Duomo from 1484 to 1522
- The sale, Libri antichi e d'artista, was organized by Il Ponte Casa d'Aste on 30 September and 1 October
- The manuscript is also known as the 'Sola Cabiati' codex
- It had been substantially inaccessible to scholars for over a century
- Sir William Hamilton's Campi Phlegraei, a first edition with 59 hand-colored plates, sold for €57,600
- Giovanni Francesco Costa's Delicie del Brenta sold for €33,280 and Jean Houel's Voyage pittoresque for €20,480
- A 17th-century atlas by Jodocus Hondius and Gerard Mercator fetched €32,000, and Marsilio Ficino's Della cristiana religione sold for €28,168
Entities
Artists
- Franchino Gaffurio
- William Hamilton
- Giovanni Francesco Costa
- Jean Houel
- Jodocus Hondius
- Gerard Mercator
- Marsilio Ficino
Institutions
- Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
- Il Ponte Casa d'Aste
- Duomo di Milano
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Florence
- Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
- Sicily
- Malta
- Lipari
- Brenta
Sources
- Artslife —